Freight carrier



March 17, 1959 E. R. LARSEN' FREIGHT CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May '15, 1958 INVENTOR.

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FREIGHT CARRIER March 17, 1959 Filed May 15, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f4 TTO/Q/VEY March 17, 1959 E. R. LARSEN FREIGHT CARRIER 5 Sheets--Sheel'cl 3 Filed May 15, 1958 O OOO INVENTOR.

16, fwz WZ7 March-17, 1959 E. R. LARSEN 2,877,602

FREIGHT cARiER Filed May l5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 v March 17, 1959 E. R. LARSEN FREIGHT CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 15, 1958 vkadvantages comprises a horizontally disposed'frame having 'at each end a pair of upstanding posts. VThe posts at each end 'are connected by two generally VI-shaped guide sion membersformed of vtwo spaced back-to-back channel members. The extension members are in sliding envgagement with the generally I-beamshaped guide members vconnecting the posts, with a channel iitting on either tending pin while each railing has at its end an eccentrically attached block having a series of holes adapted to `iit oversaid pins. lThe placementof'each voffsaid holes 2,877,602' Patented Mar. 17, 1959 ice over' the pins will provide a diierent'lateralspacing-be vtween the pin and the railing. This provides for a fine ad- FREIGHT CARRIER Einar-YR. Larsen, Northvlle, Mich., assgnor to'Bathey Manufacturing Company, Plymouth, Mich., a corporation of Michigan f Application May 15,V v1958, Serial No. 736,441

Clams. (Cl. 21h-i175) justment which insures a tight and rigid holding ofthe parts placed in the carrier, thereby'permittingrailor truck shipping with minimum damage.

The frame posts have hollow-ends and one""end*'of a post is smaller than the other end ofltheffsamepost,

Screensfcan be attached to the c'arrier"for for the parts.

Therefore, anv4 'object vof this invention iS' to povidev a carrier which is quickly and easily loaded. Other*objects Linclude: a carrier with adjustment meansto" permit a rl`-his invention pertains to a freight carrier and, more particularly, to a carrier which has adjustable side members and is capable of being carried by truck and railroad car Iwithout extensive packing procedures.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier copending application, Serial No. 650,659, filed February V18, 1957, now abandoned, which'is vexpresslyl abandoned upon 'the tiling of this application.

The carrier of this invention is of rigid construction and designed for permanent use. It is adjustable so that it can be used for carrying different types of equipment `and parts. This carrier requires a minimum of'wood crating or packing which has a large initial expense and an additional expense for removal "and disposal. It makes unnecessarymetal packing bands which also are expensive to apply and'remove, and in addition, are dangerous when overstretched. Once theparts, or equipment, have been packed in the carrier of this invention, they may beshipped Without removal from the carrier.

*After unloading from a freight train or truck, there is little `dunnage, if any, to remove. Since the packing is kept to a minimum, storage area is conserved at both the shipping and receiving points. Parts such Vas metal stampingsmaybe grouped and packed in a carrier eliminating the need for individual packing.

Also, a relatively simple, rigidpand precise adjustment to the carrier is provided sothata large range of sizes of equipment or parts may be packed tightly therein.

An embodiment of thisinvention` which provides these members having spaced adjustment holes. A post Aatone end of the carrier is connected to its corresponding post at the other end by railings which are attached to extens'ide of the I shape. The extension members also have adjustment holes but arespaced dierently'from those in the guide members. In this manner, the extension members may be, adjusted with the guide members in small each member is kept large enough so as not to seriously *weaken them. A second adjustment feature is provided at `the connection between the railing and the extension members. Each'extension memberr has an upwardly exfitted over posts of dolly 23 while theupperportionresingle carrier to be used for 'various loads 'and'forsecuring each load tightly; to provide a carrier`fwhich,^when packed, may be shipped by train or truckwitho'ut expensive andA extensive additional packing procedures'andiyet be free of undue damage to the carried materiahandto conserve storage area rof the carried material.

These and kother objects and advantageawillfbecomc more apparent when several embodiments ofthis'invention are considered in connectionL with the drawings "in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment' of; this invention as mounted on a dolly which isshowninf phantom;

Figure 2 is a carrier similar to theoneinFigureland in extended position for receivingv` a load;

'Figure 3 is a partial end view of a carrier-showing vthe :extension members in a closed position;

' Figure 4 is a section taken at 4--4 of Figuref'showing a crossV section of they guide members andthe extension members; Q l

fFigure" Slis al partial end view of a framein extended position;

' Figure 6 is a section takenat 6'-'6 of Figure 5 showing the railing and eccentric blockfor'iinel adjustment;

Figure 7 is a view taken from 7---7 of `Figure;

I Figure 8 is a schematic'view of overlapping screensffor thebottom and ends with a loadl shown'inldottedlines;

Figure 9 is a view similar tov that in Figure 4 but :with diierent cross lsections for the guide members andfexktension members;

' bodiment of 'this` invention;

`Figure. 11 is a view taken from'the"directi'on 4ofarrow 11 in Figure y10; and

Figure l2 is a section taken from 1241261? `Figure 10.

' In Figure l is shown frame 21 which has'square'," h'ollow corners 22. `'llhe'lower-portion*of corners 22' are ceives respectively frame posts 2 5 through ,28. Posts"` 25, 26 are xed as by welding to guides 31,32 and plosts`27,

j'28 are similarly xed to guides 33,34. Extensionmembers 36 through 39 and 41 through 44 slid e respectively in guides 31`through 34 with members"36,""37 `b einggfx'ed at'their outside ends to corner 46, members 38, 39'being xed at their outside ends to corner 47, rr'iembers"213,"v 44 being x'ed to corner 48 vand'members 41, 42 beingx'd to corner 49. iThe vertical corners'of 'cornerm'embers `46---49 are preferably rounded' to facilitate 'loading 1in confined spaces such as box cars. Railings""51througl54 have holes intheir outer ends which fit respectively' over pins which are attached tothe extensionV members. .*Each of vthe guides and extension membershave adjustment holes drilled thereinfwith Vthev spacingfin' the extension `members exceeding that inthe guide members. *Bolts'are placed through the aligned holes to secure the extension members in the guide members. Wooden planks 56, 57 may be placed along bottom portion of frame 21 to provide a yieldable support for the metal or other material to be carried. The extension members slide through holes in their respective frame posts. Extension members with a variety of lengths may be used with the same frame and posts, thereby accommodating a large range of material sizes that can be carried. Screens may be fitted along the railings, guide members, and frame: floor to provide a carrier for small and/or loose pieces. While only the width of the carrier shown in Figure l is adjustable, it is, of course, within the scope of this invention to likewise adjust the length. But, for the particular application for which frame 21 has been designed, that being for the carriage of metal stampings, it is more practical to have a fixed length equal to a box car width and an adjustable width. Posts 25 through 28 have smaller base portions than top portions which facilitate nesting or stacking of carrier units.

` Whileextension members 38, 39 are shown connected to corner 47 and, therefore, movable simultaneously, it would be possible, of course, to arrange to have them move-independently for a particular purpose. One way this could be done would be by merely separating or cutting corner 46 between extension members 36, 37

vand corner 49 between its attachment to extension members 41, 42 as seen in one set of extension members in Figure 2. In addition, post combinations 25, 26, and 27, 28 may both either, or neither, be fixed to corners 22 instead of telescoping or having a narrow portion insertable therein. In other words, either set of posts may be removable and the other fixed, or both may be fixed for added rigidity or both may be removed for knockdown in return shipment, and by having one set removable and one set fixed, loading may be facilitated.

Also in Figure 2 is shown a carrier in an extended position with wedge members 35 inserted between extension members 36,38 and between members 37, 39 to unload the bolts attaching the extension members to the guide members as explained later. Stampings as shown in dashed lines in Figure 8 may be placed in the carrier at Ythe stamping machine and may be separated only by a paper element.

One set of frame posts may be stacked on another to provide the required height for these parts. Boards 29 are attached to the side railings by chain 30 thereby permitting the boards to move slightly with the load, and to provide a liner which will not mar the metal parts. Spacer 24 is shown placed in the top portion of frame post 26 so that a second carrier unit may Ibe verticallyspaced at any clearance necessary for a particular load when all four posts have similar spacers. The extension members are adjusted to hold the stamping securely and then the carrier may be lifted onto a dolly or carried by a lift truck to the loading platform. From here it is placed on a freight car or truck in layers with these layers being iilled as completely as possible, and if anyspace is left over at the end of the freight car, then an unloaded or empty carrier unit may be adjusted to take up the unused space in order to prevent any sliding or jamming of the load in the car.

` If the space is too small for the use of a carrier, then a 'suitable filler means may be used, such as spaced turnbuckle assemblies between a carrier frame and a car wall. In the second and succeeding layers, the stacking of one unit on another will tend to prevent any sliding or jamming. Since the length of the carrier shown in the preferred embodiment is equal to a freight car width, there will be no unused space at the sides. However, if in some usage there is space at the side, it may, of course, be taken up in a suitable way. In this way, no special freight car or packing materials and fixtures are needed which are in use today. At the destination, the freight car may be unloaded and the carrier taken to the point *I Where the freight is to be used without any additional unpacking and packing. Also, there is a minimum of dunnage in the freight car after the unloading and the cost of shipping is additionally reduced since cleaning and removal of a large dunnage is unnecessary.

In Figure 3 is shown a partial end view with extension members 38, 39 shown in the inner or closed position. Extension members 38, 39 are slidable relative to guides 31, 32 with guides 31, 32 having holes 76 horizontally spaced .918 inches apart in staggered relation, while extension members 36 and 37 have holes 77 horizontally spaced .612 inch apart in staggered relation. The vertical distance between hole rows may be .625 inch. It is seen that by having at least three of the holes spaced .612 inch apart and having two holes spaced .918 inch apart, .306 inch adjustments are possible for a spacing of .918 inch. This is possible even though the smaller horizontal spacing is .612 inch. The wider the spacing, of course, the stronger members 31, 32, 38 and 39 will be. Small incremental spacing is possible with relatively large spacing between holes, by using this principle. By continuing the number of holes in each of the members, not only is a larger range of adjustment possible, but, also, two or more bolts, such as 71, 72 may be used, since there will be at least two aligned holes for every .3406 inch adjustment. Bolts 71, 72 may be joined at one end to form U bolt 73 shown in Figure 5. Only one nut instead of two is needed for tightening the U bolt to the carrier. Also the U bolt may have spacing equal to the spacing of aligned holes. With eight holes in each side of each guide member and 26 holes in each extension member, satisfactory results are possible for a medium size rack. For support, in addition to that offered by the bolts, Wedge member 3S, seen in Figure 2, may be placed between the extension members in channels 31 and 32 to unload the bolts and tend to prevent shear in the case of anylarge compressive stress caused by the jamming together of carriers.

Also seen in Figure 3 are railings 52, 53 shown placed over pins 62, 63 which are fixed to extension members 38, 39. The railings are removed by lifting over the pins and replaced by placement upon the pins. This replacement operation, particularly with respect to the lower side railing 53, is facilitated by the construction of the corner posts 46-49. Each of these posts is formed from a length of angle section stock and is mounted so that one ange 58 of the angle extends parallel to an end of the rack and the other liange 59 parallel to a side of the rack. A notch 60 is cut in the flange S9 above the end of the pin 63 to provide an opening in the ange 59 through which the end block 50 of the side railings 53 can be moved into position for placement upon the pin 63. An L-shaped member 61 (Fig. 3) extends from the upper edge of the notch 60 inwardly and downwardly to the upper surface of the extension members 39 to provide a guide for the side railing 53 as it is placed upon the pin 63.

Looking at Figure 4 is seen the relation between a guide member, extension member, and a frame post. The guide 31 in this embodiment is formed of two backto-back welded channel-shaped members, and this construction is welded or otherwise fixed to post 26. Sliding into guide 32 is extension member 38 which is composed of two zback-to-back separated channel members which, in this embodiment, are Welded in their spaced separation to corner 47. Tabs 19 are formed in posts 26 for greater compressive strength and also for a more attractive appearance. Bolt 72 is shown in its attached position. In Figure 5, extension members 38, 39 are shown in an extended position with bolt 72 in aligned holes. The bottom portion of a second carrier 78 is shown connected to post 26. In Figure 9 is seen a second possible cross section of guide member 31 and extension member 38. An I beam is used for guide member 31 in Figure 9.

Looking at Figures 6 and 7 is seen an embodiment of railings which provides for a" line-adiustmentthere'of with corner 47l while still `maintaining a lateral surfacelin-flush contact therewith.' fFor example, surface 55 .in Figure 5 is iiush with 'block 50, thereby unloading `'pin 62'for outward forces on railing 53. `Block 50 is mounted eccentrically to railing 52 `and has holes 81, 82 seen in Figure 7 formed therein. Dimension x is the distance between the v .vertical center lines of railingv 52and hole 81 and is different fromv dimension y, which is the distance between railing 53 horizontal center line and hole 82 center line.

Also, holes Sland 82 are formed in the centers of their respective block faces. Each hole offers two positions a'corresponding number of. faces on railing 52.

As mentioned, boards 29 may be placed along railings f 51'through54 and overlapping .screens 86,' shown. in Fig-I ure 8, maybe attachedto the lower pins 63, 64, or welded to the railings; on either sideto provide -a containing means for small parts. The overlap of screens 86 is sufficient so that for allfpositions of members 37, 39 there will be screen coverage for the bottom of the carrier. IAs

.'shown in Figure 8, the screen sides are formed` over the railings for support alongthe entire screen length. Overlapping screens may be attached also to the carrier ends. Screens may be placed along the sides of the carrier and also used for sectioning'the carrier into compartments-or bins. An automobile fender 88 is shown in dotted lines in Figure. -,Aflargeitnumber ofxfendersfmay be stacked longitudinally of the carrier for shipment to destination.

Figures -12 show a further embodiment having a Y wider adjustmentrange. As in the previous embodiment,i guide members 91, 92 have an I shaped cross section Yand are lixed as `by welding to posts 26, and have respectively, extensions 93a,A 94-beyond-the outside of posts 26. Each extension 93, 94 has a pair of connected vertically aligned holes 96, 97 which are horizontally aligned with the upper and lower row of holes in their respective guide members. With this arrangement, extension members 98, 99, which comprise two spaced back-to-back channel members welded or otherwise fixed to corner 101, can be attached to their respective guide member at a point outside of posts 26 thereby adding substantially to the degree of possible outward movement of extension members 98, 99 in their respective guides 91, 92. Bolts 103 and 104 may be inserted through aligned holes in extension members 98, 99 and their respective guides 91, 92 to rigidly secure the members to the guides. Preferably, the spacing between the holes in the extension members 98, 99 is made exactly one-half of that between the spacing of the holes in the guides 91, 92.

An `additional feature residing in the embodiment shown in Figures 10-12 is the support for chain 30 which comprises plate 106 welded or otherwise fixed to the inside channel of extension member 98 and which has formed therein tilted slot 107 proportioned to receive a link of chain 30. Due to the location of plate 106 and slot 107, chain 30 may be inserted or removed from the slot 107 only when railing 108 is removed from its pin 109 and by placement of the railing 108 over the pin 109, the chain 30 is effectively secured in slot 107.

While a preferred embodiment of my invention has been described above in detail, it will be understood that numerous modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A shipping rack of the four-sided open framework type having a base frame of xed dimensions, structure composing each one of a pair of opposite sides of said rack comprising, a pair of vertical posts carried by and projecting above said base frame, a guide member rigidly xconnectingfsaid :pair of .postsabove said base. frame,said guide member having; asplurality -jof'outwardly facing angularly related surfaces forming aguideway, an-extension member supported by said guide member, a corner posty rigidly secured to lonetendnof Isaid extension member for support thereby, i saidf extension0 member havingy correspondngly r'a'ngularly -related surfaces? .dimensionedl for sliding ,engagement-fin* saidvguideway, means for connect- 1 ing ysaid extensionmember to said. guide member in any one of a number of positions therealong whereby the length of each ,of 1said pair of racksides can be varied,

means forforming a `third* side offsaid rack perpendicular vto said pair of,y sides, said side forming means including a rail, and means for detachably connecting said side railto jthe said corner postof each of said pair ofsides.

2. A shipping rack according to ,claim 1 wherein said means for detachablyfconnecti-ng said siderail to said cort nerpostsincludes antupstanding.,pinconnected to.. said extension :.memberf, and-an aperture `extending ythrough A.said vside railadjacent each. end thereof.

3.'.Ar shipping .rack vaccording to claim 2 whereinsaid aperture is positioned.eccentricallytothe longitudinal axis of said side` rail.

4. A'shippingrack according toclaim lfurther characterized bysaid `means kfor detachably connecting said side rail to said corner postscomprising an `upstanding pin securedl to -saidextensionmemben an eccentric block 4.having multiplicity .of faces mounted at each end of said a vertical'A surface `extending yparallel tofsaid third rack side and said pin so as to be engageable by any one of the faces of said block.

6. A shipping rack according to .claim 1 wherein said third side forming means includes a side board and means for suspending said side board from said corner posts inside said side rail.

7. A shipping rack according to claim 6 wherein said means for suspending said side board comprises a flexible suspending member secured thereto, slot means on said side structure for engagement by the other end of said flexible member and means including said side rail for preventing disengagement of said tiexible member from said slot means.

8. A shipping rack according to claim 1 further characterized by said guide member extending through and beyond at least one of said pair of posts.

9. A shipping rack of the four-sided open framework type having a base frame of xed dimensions, structure composing each one of a pair of opposite sides of said rack comprising a pair of vertical posts carried by and projecting above said base frame, a guide member rigidly connecting said pair of posts above said base frame, said guide member being formed from I-section stock to provide a pair of opposed channel shaped guideways, a corner post, an extension member supported by said guide member, said extension member being formed by a pair of channel section members secured to .said lcorner post in spaced back-to-back relation, said extension channel members being dimensioned for sliding engagement in the guideways of said guide member, means for connecting said extension member to said guide member in any one of a number of positions therealong whereby the length of each of said pair of rack sides can be varied, said connecting means comprising rows of alignable apertures formed in said guide and extension members and fastening means insertable in said apertures, means for forming a third side of said rack perpendicular to said pair of sides, said side forming means including a rail and means for detachably connecting said rail to the said corner post of said pair of sides when the length of said pair of sides is equal.

10. A shipping rack according to claim 9 further characterized -by said pair of vertical posts each being formed of a four-sided tubular member and wherein said guide member extends through said tubular post between two sides thereof, and wherein the other two sides thereof straddle said extension member.

l1. A shipping rack of the four-sided open framework type having a base frame of fixed dimensions, structure composing each one of a pair of opposite sides of said rack comprising, a pair of vertical posts carried by and projecting above said base frame, a pair of vertically spaced guide members rigidly connecting said pair of posts above said base frame, said guide members each having a pair of opposed channel-shaped guideways, a corner post, an extension member supported by each of said guide members, said extension members each being formed by a pair of channel section members secured to said corner post in spaced back-to-back relation, said extension channel members being dimensioned for sliding engagement inthe guideways of said guide members, means for connecting said extension members to said guide members in any one-of a number of positions therealong whereby the length of each of said pair of rack sides can be varied, said connecting means' comprising rows of alignable apertures formed in said guide and extension members and fastening means insertable in said apertures, means for forming a third side of said rack perpendicular to said pair o f sides, said side forming means including a pair of rails, and means for detachably connecting each of said rails to the said corner post of each of said pair of sides when the length of said pair of sides is equal.

l2. A shipping rack according to claim 1l wherein said means. for detachably connecting said rails to each of said corner posts comprises a pin extending vertically above each of said extension members and an aperture formed adjacent each end of said rails for engagement by said pin, and further characterized by said corner posts each including a vertical surface extending parallel to said third rack side, said surface being spaced from the center of a pin a distance slightly greater than the distance between the center of said aperture and the outer face of said side rail.

13. A shipping rack according to claim 12 further characterized by each of said corner posts being provided with a notch in the said vertically extending surface thereof, said notch being located above the lower of said extension members a distance greater than the length of the said pin which projects thereabove, and said posts having a second vertical surface spaced inwardly from said notch a distance slightly greater than the width of said side rail.

14. A shipping rack according to claim l1 further characterized by said-side forming means including a board having a width greater than the spacing between said side rails, and means for suspending said board between the corner .posts of said pair of sides inwardly of said side rails.

l5. A shipping rack according to claim 14 wherein said means for suspending said board comprises a pair of chains, each chain being connected at one end to said board and means for detachably connecting the other end of each chain to one of said posts.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,707,576 Schubert Apr. 2, 1929 2,491,577 Olnger Dec. 20, 1949 2,664,307 Wieland Dec. 29, 953 2,855,260 Reiss Oct. 7, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OE CORRECTION Patent No. 2,877,602 March l?, 1959 Einar R. Larsen It is hereby certified that error appears in the -printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l, line 26, for "Serial Non 650,659H read r` Serial NO.

signed and Sealed this '7th day of July 1959,

SEEE) 116512:

RARI, II. MEINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Ocer l Commissioner of Patents 

